Men's Basketball Nashville Bound
Panthers knock off EKU, 68-61
3/2/2010 10:41:46 PM
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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois is headed to Nashville for the Ohio Valley Conference semifinals for the first time since the 2001 season following a 68-61 win over Eastern Kentucky in the opening round of the OVC Tournament played Tuesday night at Lantz Arena.
The Panthers improved to 19-11 overall while the Colonels dropped to 20-12. The last time EIU advanced to Nashville the Panthers won the OVC Tournament in 2001 defeating Austin Peay in one of the classic games of the OVC Tournament.
EKU built a 35-31 halftime lead as they took advantage of seven EIU first half turnovers converting those into 12 points. EKU would finish the game with a 21-3 advantage in points off turnovers. However EIU was able to limit EKU to just 41 percent shooting including a 32 percent from 3-point range.
The Panthers limited second chance points for the Colonels by dominating play on the glass. EIU finished with a 34-18 rebound margin with James Hollowell leading the way with eight.
EIU shot a season best 62 percent for the game hitting better than 60 percent in each half. EIU opened the second half with a 10-5 run as the Panthers gained the lead on a jumper by Jeremy Granger with 15:03 left. Granger was one of four Panthers to finish in double figures with 14. Tyler Laser also added 14 for EIU.
Josh Daniel would tie the game for EKU with a 3-pointer at 12:43 and Spencer Perrin gave the Colonels a lead at 47-45 with 11:54 left.
EIU would answer with a 5-0 spurt as Shaun Pratl capped the short run. EIU would withstand several EKU runs in the final four minutes after extending the lead to nine points on free throws by T.J. Marion as he led EIU with 15 points. Hollowell added 10.
Justin Stommes had 14 to lead EKU with Perrin and Papa Oppong adding 13.
EIU will face No. 1 seed Murray State at 6 p.m. on Friday evening at the Bridgestone Arena (formerly Sommet Center) in Nashville.